Oz rock icon Ian Rilen lost his battle with cancer back in 2006 at the age of 59, but it's testament to both his character and unbridled love of rock'n'roll that just months prior to his passing he was still ensconced in the studio with his band The Love Addicts – long-time partner-in-crime Cathy Green on bass, Kim Volkman on guitar and Dave Nicholls on drums – crafting his final musical statement, Family From Cuba.
And what a farewell it proved to be. The man who'd become legendary for his output with outfits such as Rose Tattoo, X, Hell To Pay and many more equally fine bands didn't waste a second feeling sorry for himself or his predicament, instead crafting an album as passionate and brimming with life as anything he'd worked on during his incredible career. His lyrics as always are both incisive and insightful, and his gruff voice so expressive as he covers the gamut of human emotion through tracks such as Without You – which exudes the pathos and life experience of Leonard Cohen – and Bad For Good, an ominous and sleazy ode to being forsaken. Two Days Off (Five Days On) – a co-write with the equally legendary Spencer P Jones – is a summation of the rock'n'roll life force pulsing through their veins, while on Rock N Roll Man Rilen lays the cards of his life out on the table, warts and all. There are 14 strong tracks here and they all help paint a fascinating final picture, abetted by fittingly beautiful packaging and liner notes.
A brilliant coda to an amazing career by a bona fide Oz rock legend, still sorely missed.
